Minimalist Photographer Captures Dramatic Depth of Nature in Black and White

George Digalakis Surreal Nature Photography black and white minimalism landscape

The picture-perfect portfolio of Greek photographer George Digalakis is simultaneously rooted in the natural world and subtly surreal. His photographs are shrouded in palpable stillness and mysterious melancholy. They prompt viewers to get lost in the scene and tap into their slumbering subconscious.

With a preference for landscapes and a penchant for minimalism, he skillfully and gracefully captures the understated beauty of nature. Exquisitely dreamy shots of lone trees, misty horizons, and deserted dwellings convey the artist's uncanny ability to transform ordinary scenes and surroundings into moody masterpieces. Digalakis often utilizes the presence of natural elements (like water) to heighten the innate appeal of these environments. “Water, an element he deeply loves,” his bio states, “can be found in most of his works, but never as their central theme. Rather, he uses the water and the sky as a canvas on which he places his subjects.”

In addition to his love of lonely landscapes and atmospheric environments, Digalakis also consistently conveys his underlying emotions and artistic vision through his overall approach to the craft. He shoots solely in black and white, and often opts for a classically square composition to maintain a minimalist aesthetic.

The photographer is also a fan of employing long exposure techniques. This is a creative tactic to “move the images further away from reality.” He even views the time-consuming technique as a vital aspect of his practice, as it gives him time to “not only explore the environment, but also to feel the scene and visualize the final image.” Together, his eye for composition, his meticulous, technical approach, and his admirable appreciation for the process culminate in an expressive yet enigmatic body of work.

Scroll down to explore George Digalakis' beautiful collection of surreal nature photography.

George Digalakis Surreal Nature Photography black and white minimalism landscape

George Digalakis Surreal Nature Photography black and white minimalism landscape

George Digalakis Surreal Nature Photography black and white minimalism landscape

George Digalakis Surreal Nature Photography black and white minimalism landscape

George Digalakis Surreal Nature Photography black and white minimalism landscape

George Digalakis Surreal Nature Photography black and white minimalism landscape

George Digalakis Surreal Nature Photography black and white minimalism landscape

George Digalakis Surreal Nature Photography black and white minimalism landscape

George Digalakis Surreal Nature Photography black and white minimalism landscape

George Digalakis Surreal Nature Photography black and white minimalism landscape

George Digalakis Surreal Nature Photography black and white minimalism landscape

George Digalakis Surreal Nature Photography black and white minimalism landscape

George Digalakis Surreal Nature Photography black and white minimalism landscape

George Digalakis Surreal Nature Photography black and white minimalism landscape

George Digalakis: Website | 500px
h/t: [Yatzer]

All images via George Digalakis.

Kelly Richman-Abdou

Kelly Richman-Abdou is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. An art historian living in Paris, Kelly was born and raised in San Francisco and holds a BA in Art History from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Art and Museum Studies from Georgetown University. When she’s not writing, you can find Kelly wandering around Paris, whether she’s leading a tour (as a guide, she has been interviewed by BBC World News America and France 24) or simply taking a stroll with her husband and two tiny daughters.
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